Monday, June 05, 2017

Juhu Airport authorities have sought help from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to ensure drainage water from the neighbourhood does not enter the airport premises during the monsoon. The BMC has been specifically asked to help keep sub-surface water flow from surrounding areas off the airside.
The operations of the oldest aerodrome in the country get affected due to water-logging after heavy rain. At a meeting last month, airport and civic authorities held discussions about covering the drainage line and desilting nullahs. With a lot of accumulated water in the airside, sub-surface water flow from nearby construction sites and slums remains an issue.
“Last year, we installed high power pumps to drain out the water from the runway strip and airport. The airport is in a low-lying region and gets affected due to drainage water from surrounding areas. We have asked the BMC to ensure that a proper drainage plan is worked out to prevent the waterlogging problem,” said Juhu airport director M K Bimal.
Only one major drainage line and four minor nullahs exist near the airport between Juhu Tara Road to Nehru Road. Since the airport is close to the Juhu beach, it also receives water in high tide. Officials say they avoid this “back-water flow” problem with pumps.
05/06/17 Indian Express